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Ringwood Brewery, Hampshire

It was not until 1978 that the present Ringwood Brewery was founded by the pioneering Peter Austin, widely regarded as a founding father of the British micro-brewing industry.

He set up his first brew-house in a converted bakery on part of the town's former railway station yard to produce the staple Ringwood Best Bitter and the liquid gold Fortyniner. In 1979, the much stronger Old Thumper ale first came on tap to become the Ringwood flagship brew, not least after it was voted Champion Beer of Britain by the Campaign for Real Ale in 1988.

Old Thumper 5.6% abv

Ringwood's strongest beer was first brewed in late 1979, a peppery, spicy brew with a hint of apples. It has a luscious balance of grain and hop in the mouth, bitter sweet finish with delicate fruit notes - warm, rounded yet surprisingly delicate strong ale. It has won many awards but is best remembered for being voted Champion beer of Britain by CAMRA in 1988.

Fortyniner 4.9% abv

The name is taken from the beer's strength at 4.9%. Ringwood has been brewing Fortyniner since 1978 and over the years it has received many awards. It has rounded malt flavours with a strong hop balance and a deep bittersweet finish. This golden brew was a silver medal winner at the '96 International Beer Competition at Burton-on-Trent.

Boondoggle 4.0% abv

Boondoggle has irresistible hop aromas with high summer, floral notes. It has initial fruitiness with a crisp dry finish. A straw coloured beer, brewed with just 2 aroma hops: the highly prized Fuggles and the new dwarf variety, First Gold.

www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk